Confession (still more class notes)

1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

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Are we to be perfect? How can we be “in the light” not walking “in darkness” unless we are perfect? If light and dark cannot exist together, how can God and I fellowship when I sin? Aren’t we told we are never going to be perfect?

We can start with the first one: NO, we are not asked to be perfect. But we are very much asked to strive to imitate God (Eph 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God...”). But what about when we fail?

Verse 9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us...” But what is confession? Think about when you were a kid---we faced consequences for breaking the rules as kids. When confronted, or if you were bold enough to admit it without coercion, did you really seek forgiveness for dishonoring your parents, or did you “confess” to merely avoid or diminish the effects (the punishment) of the wrong?

The difference is huge! Sure, God knows we sin...but He allows us to come to Him, admit the error, and then offers His strength to help us change! This type of confession makes us vulnerable in the world---people have to choose to forgive us and don’t always let us off the hook---BUT GOD ALWAYS DOES. When we come to Him and say, “Lord, I have fallen...I have committed a sin against your perfect will...I do not want to do this again, but I must have your help to change...”---then He is “faithful and just to forgive us."

This kind of confession brings repentance...it brings change...and above all, brings PEACE.